3 comments:

Unfortunately, the term “open source” is interpreted by many as being synonymous with “free.” Open-source software – systems that make the source code available for free to users, so that custom modifications can be made at-will – does not guarantee free, or even low-cost. Often, to a customer, obtaining “free” open-source software has hidden costs: one often needs open-source engineers/consultants to make any modifications (physicians are seldom software writers and cannot implement source-code changes without IT consultant help); there is still the issue of hosting the software on some hardware system; there is still the issue of training and support.

Practice Fusion offers a truly free solution: it is web-based (therefore hosting and installation costs do not exist), it is very intuitive and rapidly-deployed (minimizing training and support), and it is centrally hosted (allowing clinical information sharing). I have not seen any other example of EMR software that is truly free to physician-end-users.

Some training institutions for medical professionals – for example, the New York Institute of Technology, and UWest Florida – have adopted Practice Fusion as the EMR on which to train their students. Why? It is intuitive, easy, yet robust; there is no installation or setup needed (just a browser and an internet connection); and it is truly free.